When Cortney called and asked me if I wanted to go workout with her at QT Fitness in the Pacific Palisades my mind immediately went to brunch (naturally). While we have Taste on Melrose in our directory we had yet to experience its sister restaurant in PP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We sweated it out to a fantastic barre method class and dragged our sore bodies next door to Taste. It was bit chilly so we had to dine inside instead of on their lovely patio which has you staring up into mountain views. The décor inside is inviting and full of character. A giant portrait of an Italian grandiose estate with a woman in a black dress takes up the entirety of a wall in the entry. Dark wood tables and sparkling light pendants mixed with the full on fire place made our experience very cozy. The back bar is gorgeous complete with hanging glasses and a bartender who can make a mean Prickly Pear Bellini!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The menu is almost exactly the same as the Melrose location (full of delicious items). We decided to stick with our post workout mindfulness by forgoing the warm cinnamon roll ($4) to start. After ordering the “Bellini of Today” ($8) –Prickly Pear, we decided to ask our server for house suggestions. She mentioned the Porcini Mushroom Omelet (Manchego Cheese, Marsala Mushroom Sauce) $11.25, and the Breakfast Panini (Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, Organic Arugula, Caramelized Onions) $11.50. She also suggested the Crab Cake Benedict (2 Poached Eggs, Hollandaise Sauce, Toasted Brioche) $16.25. I was sold at “Crab Cake.” Cortney opted for the healthier Roasted Red Pepper Frittata (Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Anaheim Chile, Fennel) $11.75. Luckily we like to share so we were able to try both dishes. I loved the cast iron small skillets that both entrees came in. The food was hot and gorgeous looking. My crab cakes were scrumptious, decadent and perfectly portioned. The potatoes were crispy and seasoned just right. Cortney’s frittata was light, fluffy and full of veggies. The accompanying arugula salad had the best ginger vinaigrette dressing! We loved the flavors of our dishes and were easily full and happy within ten minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The service was spectacular, the food delicious, the ambience cozy and elegant and the drinks fun and inventive. We definitely recommend this Palisade’s gem and can’t wait to come back –after a good workout of course!